Brackets for securing supporting structure to a wall



' April 21, 1970 w. c. HEIRICH 3,507,032

BRACKETS FOR SECURING SUPPORTING STRUCTURE To A WALL 'Filed April 22. 1969 I '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvnmon WILLIAM c. HEIRICH A ril 2 1, 1970 w. c. HEIRICH "3,507,032

BRACKETS FOR smcumne SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO A WALL Filed April 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet z mvsm'on WILLIAM Cf H EIRICH United States Patent 3,507,082 BRACKETS FOR SECURING SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO A WALL William C. Heirich, 515 S. 15th St., Muskogee, Okla. 74401 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 603,281,

Dec. 20, 1966. This application Apr. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 818,377

Int. Cl. E0411 2/88, 2/00 U.S. Cl. 52-489 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 603,281, filed Dec. 20, 1966, now Patent No. 3,453,795 and entitled Wall Panel Supporting System.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to aluminum wall paneling systems adaptable to new construction and particularly the modernization of older buildings. In such constructions aluminum interlocking panels defining a decorative and functional wall are secured to supporting structure which, in turn, is secured to the existing building front. The supporting structure to which the interlocking aluminum panels are attached is usually permanently secured to the building wall. -It is apparent, however, that installation time can be reduced by avoiding the necessity of permanently attaching the supporting structure to the existing wall. In addition, it is desirable that the supporting structure fioafin relation to the building front to compensate for differences in the rate of expansion and contraction between the material of which the building is made and the aluminum panels and fittings. Also, problems resulting from buildings settling and cracking are avoided if the supporting structure is permitting to float along the building front.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to bracket assemblies enabling the supporting structure to which the aluminum interlocking panel elements are fastened to be attached to existing building wall-s without the necessity of employing permanent fasteners, i.e. the supporting structure may be simply snapped in place within the bracket assemblies. The supporting structure, not being permanently fastened to the building wall, is thus free to float" compensating for differences in thermal expansion and contraction between ICC the material of which the building is made and the aluminum panels. By avoiding permanent fasteners, subsequent settling and cracking of the building does not subject the assembled wall covering to undesirable stress. Thus, the bracket assemblies of the present invention reduce installation time while guarding against the possibility of damage to the modernized building wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side view partly in section illustrating attachment of the supporting structure to a wall with the use of a first embodiment bracket assembly;

FIGURE 2 is a side partly in section illustrating attachment of the suppOrting structure to a wall with the use of a second embodiment bracket assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a side view partly in section illustrating attachment of the supporting structure to a wall with the use of -a third embodiment bracket assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the third embodiment bracket assembly mounting the supporting structure which, in turn, slidingly supports a clip assembly which, in turn, supports the interlocking flanges of adjacent aluminum panel elements; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a hanger for adjustably positioning the third embodiment bracket assembly preselected distances from the building wall, as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Adjacent aluminum panel elements '10 and 12, as seen in FIG. 4, terminate in male and female locking flanges 14 and 16, respectively, permitting the individual panel elements to be assembled as a wall either as new construction or for covering an existing building front.

In FIGS. 1-3, the reference numeral 18 generally desig nates a building front to be covered. Supporting structure or T-supports 20 are secured to the building front 18 when desired. Then, as seen in FIG. 4, clips 30 are hung from the T-supports 20 after which the assembled interlocking flanges 14 and 1-6 of the adjacent panels '10 and 12 are inserted in place within arms 32 of clips 30.

Each T-support, as seen in FIG. 1, includes front vertical walls 22 held in spaced relationship by U-shaped section 24 and terminating at their extremities in horizontal flanges 26. Near the center portion of U-shaped section 24 and extending rearwardly therefrom is horizontal member 27 which terminates in rear vertical wall 28 having horizontal flanges 29.

The first embodiment bracket assembly 40, as seen in FIG. 1, includes a flat portion 42 secured to the building wall 18 by bolt 44. A curvilinear hook portion 46 is provided within which the button horizontal flange 29 of the T-support 20 is positioned. The bracket assembly 40 further includes a flat portion 48 abutting the horizontal member 27 of the T-support 20 and a downwardly extending flat portion 50 terminating in curvilinear hook portion 52 within which is positioned the lower horizontal flange 26 of the T-support 20.

T-support 20 is secured in place by downward movement in the direction of the arrow, FIG. 1, this action compressing the bracket 40 permitting the T-support 20 to snap securely in place.

The second embodiment bracket assembly 60, as seen in FIG. 2, includes a flat portion 62 secured to the building wall 18 by bolt 64. Extending outwardly is a generally horizontally disposed flat portion 66 terminating in a curvilinear hook portion 68 against which the lower horizontal flange 26 of the T-support 20 abuts. The bracket assembly is further provided with an upwardly sloping portion 69 and a flat portion 70 against which the horizontal member 27 of the T-su-pport 20 is positioned and terminates in downwardly sloping portion 72 abutting the intersection of the rear vertical wall 28 and the lower horizontal flange 29 of the T-support 20.

T-support 20 is secured in place by downward movement in the direction of the arrow, FIG. 2, this action forcing the lower horizontal flange 26 of the T-support 20 over the upwardly sloping portion 69 and downwardly into curvilinear hook portion 68.

The third embodiment bracket assembly 80, as seen in FIGS. 34, includes a flat portion 82 secured to the building wall 18 by bolt 84. Extending outwardly is a generally horizontally disposed intermediate portion 86 turning upwardly in a vertically disposed portion 88 above which is located a horizontally disposed portion 90 abutting and supporting the horizontal member 27 of the T-support 20. The horizontally disposed portion 90 of the bracket assembly 80 terminates inwardly in a shoulder 92 abutting the inner surface of the rear vertical wall 28 of the T-support 20 and outwardly in a downwardly directed flange 94 abutting the inner surface of the front vertical wall 22 of the T-support 20. An indentation 96 is provided within the horizontally disposed portion 90 complimentary in configuration with respect to and abutting the U-shaped section v24 of the T-support 20. As will be apparent, horizontal portion 90 with indentation 96, shoulder 92 and flange 94 are precisely dimensioned and configured to fit within the lower half of the T-support 20 providing solid foundation therefor.

T-support 20 is secured in place by downward movebent in the direction of the arrow, FIG. 3, this action forcing the lower vertical wall 22 and its associated lower horizontal flange 26 over the flange 94 of the bracket assembly 80.

As will now be apparent, the T-supports 20 are free to slide horizontally in relationship to the bracket assemblies 40, 60 and 80. In this manner, the T-supports 20 are permitted to float along the building wall 18 compensating for differences in thermal expansion and contraction between the building material and aluminum panels and related fittings. By thus avoiding rigid fastening of the T-supports 20 to the building wall 18 settling and cracking of the building will not subject the assembled aluminum wall covering to stress.

In covering existing building fronts having irregular projections, it is frequently necessary to support the bracket assemblies 40, 60 and 80 varying distances from the building front. Thus, the adjustable hanger 100 illustrated in FIG. is provided. In this manner, all necessary bracket assemblies can be mounted in the same or desired vertical plane(s) regardless of the configuration of the existing building front.

The adjustable hanger 100 comprises upper and lower supports 102 and 104 terminating at their ends in flanges 106 and 108, respectively, which are secured to the existing building wall. The supports 102 and 104 are slidably mounted on rods 110 and 112 for adjustable extension by slot and bolt assemblies 114. A third support 116 connects rods 110' and 112 by bolting assembly 118 which also secures the bracket assembly 80', a modified version of bracket assembly 80 in which portions 82 and 86 form a single flat section, to the hanger 100. Another slot and bolt assembly 120 is provided enabling further extension of upper support 102 from the bracket assembly 80.

Manifestly, variation in design of the subject bracket assemblies may be envisioned without departing from the '4 spirit and scope of invention, as defined in the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A paneling system, comprising:

(a) a generally vertically disposed wall to be covered by paneling;

(b) a plurality of generally vertically disposed interlocking panel elements;

(0) a structural member;

((1) a plurality of clips provided with means securing said panel elements thereto and permitting said panel elements to slide within said clips in a generally vertical direction and means securing said clips t said structural member;'

(e) a bracket assembly generally complimentary in configuration with respect to said structural member and provided with means permitting said structural member to be snapped into engagement therewith and subsequently slide in a generally horizontal direction in relation thereto; and r (f) means securing said bracket assembly to said wall.

2. A paneling system as in claim 1 wherein said structural member includes at least two surfaces and said bracket assembly includes at least two portions exerting pressure in opposite direction on said two surfaces of said structural member.

3. A paneling system as is claim 2, wherein said surfaces of said structural member are connected by an intermediate surface and said two portions of said bracket assembly exerting pressure are connected by an intermediate portion abutting and supporting said intermediate surface of said structural member.

4. A paneling system as in claim 3, wherein said surfaces of said structural member are defined by front and back flanges and said intermediate surface defined by a member connecting said flanges.

5. A paneling system as in claim 4, wherein said two portions of said bracket assembly exerting pressure are defined by front and back flanges abutting said and back flanges of said structural member.

6. A paneling system as in claim 5, the distance spanned by said intermediate portion of said bracket assembly being greater than the distance between the intersection of said back flange with said member connecting said back and front flanges and the end of said front flange of said structural member requiring force to 'be exerted on said structural member forcing said front flange thereof over said front flange of said bracket assembly.

7. A paneling system as in claim 6, wherein substantially the entire surface of said front and back flanges and intermediate portion of said bracket assembly engage said structural member.

8. A paneling system as in claim 6, wherein said front flange of said bracket assembly is curvilinear in configuration encompassing said front flange of said structural member.

9. A paneling system as in claim 6 including means varying the distance of said bracket assembly from said wall.

10. An assembly for securing panels to a wall, comprising:

(a) abracket including:

(i) a first portion abutting and secured to the Wall;

(ii) said first portion extending outwardly intoa second portion spaced from the wall;

(iii) said second portion extending upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions in a third generally horizontally disposed portion;

(iv) said third portion terminating in first and second flanges;

(b) a structural member including:

' (i) a first generally horizontally spaced portion abutting said third portion of said bracket;

(ii) said first portion of said structural member terminating at one end thereof in a first flange References Cited overlying said first flange of said bracket and UNITED STATES PATENTS at other end thereof in a second flange overlymg said second flange of said bracket; 1,714,682 5/ 1929 LQuCkS (iii) said portion including a third flange cooperat- 5 1,971,411 8/ 1934 H g y 7 ing with said first flange of said structural mem- 2,054,984 12/1936 Marsh 52506 her to enable the panels to be secured thereto. 2,082,314 6/ 1937 VeIlZle 5 11. An assembly as in claim 10, the distance spanned by said first and second flanges of said bracket exceeding JOHN MURTAGH Primary Exammer v the opening defined by said first and second flanges of 10 U S C1 XR said structural member, permitting said structural memher to snap in place over said bracket. 52 -135, 478, 508, 588; 248-223 

